Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The UK has long supported the Syrian Civil Defence (also known as the White Helmets) in their vital work to facilitate humanitarian access, conduct search and rescue operations, and enable the safe removal of unexploded weapons. We are proud of this partnership and remain committed to supporting the White Helmets during its transition into the Syrian Government's Ministry for Emergency and Disaster Relief. In the financial year 2025/26, the UK has committed £2.25 million of support for them to provide emergency civil protection services and community resilience activities.

The famine in Gaza City and the surrounding neighbourhood, as confirmed by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), is utterly horrifying and is wholly preventable. On 12 August, the UK led 32 international partners in drawing attention to the unfolding famine in Gaza while urging Israel to allow large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs, and humanitarian partners.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement on 22 August, the IPC report outlines the sickening reality created by Israel's restrictions on aid, especially for children; he called on the Government of Israel to act immediately to stop the situation deteriorating further. On 23 August, the Foreign Secretary pressed Foreign Minister Sa'ar on the IPC's confirmation of famine in Gaza and urged for all restrictions on aid to be lifted.

We will continue to coordinate international efforts to press Israel to alleviate starvation in Gaza.

It is horrifying that at least 1,400 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured at or near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution sites. We regularly engage with Israeli counterparts to urge them to better protect civilians, and reduce the chaos on the ground causing such horrors. On 23 August, the Foreign Secretary pressed Foreign Minister Sa'ar to urgently remove all aid restrictions and move towards a ceasefire.

On 11 July, I called for an independent investigation into the killing of women and children while collecting aid in central Gaza. We expect the perpetrators to be held to account.

The Government has announced that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September before the United Nations General Assembly to protect the viability of the two‑state solution, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long‑term sustainable peace. We will assess all the factors relevant to recognition ahead of a decision.

We are working urgently to support Chevening Scholars in Gaza who have offers from British universities to leave and take up their places in the UK. The Government is working through options on how best to support other students with scholarships to take up their places at UK universities this academic year, in the context of an extremely challenging situation on the ground in Gaza.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not hold demographic data on individuals who engaged with the Travel Aware campaigns, including the methanol poisoning campaign. While the campaign generates engagement metrics in aggregate form - such as reach and interaction rates - these do not include breakdowns by age, gender, nationality, or other demographic categories. Between 28 November 2024 and 6 March 2025, the FCDO's methanol related social media posts received a total of 41,103 views.

The Association for British Travel Agents (ABTA) and Travel Aware partners play a vital role in amplifying information on methanol poisoning as part of our broader proactive messaging efforts. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office collaborates with over 150 partners through the Travel Aware campaign, we engage with selected partners who are best placed to help raise awareness and promote safe travel behaviours in destinations where methanol poisoning is a known risk (their contributions account for 1 in 10 hits to our travel advice website).

We fully recognise the serious risks posed by methanol poisoning and remain committed to supporting affected British nationals abroad. Methanol poisoning is not classified as a distinct case type within our case management system. Any consular support provided in these situations would have been recorded under broader categories such as medical care, deaths, or general health concerns. We publish our consular data on a regular basis (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/consular-data). It includes a breakdown of where we have been approached for assistance in relation to, amongst other things, hospitalisation and death. It is broken down by country and date. We continue to monitor health and safety risks abroad and provide guidance to help British nationals stay safe while travelling.

The latest UN Secretary General's report on Children and Armed Conflict is shocking. It shows that children are being harmed and denied lifesaving aid on an unprecedented scale.

In the UN Security Council, the UK has called on all parties to armed conflict to immediately end and prevent grave violations against children, and for perpetrators to be held to account. The UK remains committed to promoting and defending the UN's Children and Armed Conflict mandate.

We are engaging with stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of our current approach.

We have been clear and consistent regarding the duration of the treaty. The treaty will last for an initial 99 years and may be extended for a further 40 years (and beyond) by agreement between the UK and Mauritius.

Even if no agreement is reached, the UK will have the right to first refusal on the use of Diego Garcia which, if exercised, would prevent the use of the base by any other party.

Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will exercise all rights and authorities which are required for the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base.

We have committed to capitalise a Trust Fund for the benefit of Chagossians, and are engaging with Mauritius on the design and parameters of the Fund, including potential UK representation on its Board. The Government has committed to update the House on the operation of the Trust Fund before ratification of the Treaty.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Explanatory Memorandum for Mauritius's Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2021 (https://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/mauritiusassembly/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bill1621.pdf) .

It is clear that legislation applies only to persons acting under the authority or instructions of a foreign state in the production, distribution, supply or marketing of any coin, stamp, official map or official document.

Student Brand Ambassadors (SBAs) have played a valuable and strategic role in extending the reach of our safety messaging to young travellers. Through the use of social media, they have delivered key messages on methanol poisoning and drink safety in a voice that is both authentic and relatable. This peer-led approach has proven to be an effective tool in promoting safer travel campaign messages.

Our SBAs create targeted posts focused on drink safety, including the risks associated with methanol poisoning. They have recently increased their social media presence to include TikTok. In June-July this year, this resulted in a 300 per cent increase in the number of people our messaging reached. This impressive increase shows the value in tailored focused messaging across the full range of social media. A full analysis of the SBA programme over the summer period will be conducted late Autumn.

Student Brand Ambassadors (SBAs) have played a valuable and strategic role in extending the reach of our safety messaging to young travellers. Through the use of social media, they have delivered key messages on methanol poisoning and drink safety in a voice that is both authentic and relatable. This peer-led approach has proven to be an effective tool in promoting safer travel campaign messages.

Our SBAs create targeted posts focused on drink safety, including the risks associated with methanol poisoning. They have recently increased their social media presence to include TikTok. In June-July this year, this resulted in a 300 per cent increase in the number of people our messaging reached. This impressive increase shows the value in tailored focused messaging across the full range of social media. A full analysis of the SBA programme over the summer period will be conducted late Autumn.

The humanitarian situation in Syria is dire, with over 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 90 per cent of the population living in poverty. Our funding provides urgent humanitarian aid, as well as support for Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods. The UK has robust processes in place to ensure our overseas development assistance aid funding reaches those most in need, delivers value for money and protects against aid diversion. A stable Syria is firmly in the UK's interests, reducing the risk of irregular migration, terrorism and other threats to our national security.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

The UK has consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and reiterated this message to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi.. The Foreign Secretary also discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus in July. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. We welcome the provisions on freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief in the Constitutional Declaration. We will continue to advocate for the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.

The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) across the Western Balkans and Europe. On 8 July, the Government set out its approach to FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries. Senior UK ministers and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, including the Foreign Secretary and UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, have engaged closely with key stakeholders across Europe to promote constructive interfaith dialogue and policies that ensure greater protections for religious beliefs. More generally, we continue to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

The UK is committed to supporting global efforts to end preventable maternal, child and newborn deaths by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal targets through the Healthy Women, Children and Newborn approach.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of resource allocation processes.

The UK works with multilateral organisations including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organisation and the Global Financing Facility, alongside governments and civil society and provides targeted funding, technical partnership and diplomatic engagement to defend and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Earlier this year on International Women's Day, the Foreign Secretary appointed Baroness Harman as Special Envoy for Women and Girls, progressing our foreign policy and development objectives to protect women and girls' rights, including SRHR. In June 2026, she met with international counterparts and programme partners at Wilton Park, expressing the UK's commitment to defending and advancing SRHR.

The 2025 Spending Review has confirmed the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office's (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2025-26. With the overall reductions to ODA budgets across the Department, there has been some impact to the central nutrition budget but decisions across Posts are yet to be finalised. The FCDO will be able to assess the financial impact of this spending review on nutrition-related spend in 2027 once nutrition-related spend data is consolidated.

The UK reports its Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend on a calendar year basis in the Statistics on International Development.

Based on the provisional statistics published in April, in 2024, 20 per cent (£2.8 billion) of UK ODA was spent on in-donor refugee costs and 10 per cent (£1.4 billion) of UK ODA was spent on bilateral humanitarian assistance; this does not include humanitarian assistance spend through multilateral organisations.

It is not possible to differentiate between programmes that support poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Final figures for 2024 will be published in Statistics on International Development: Final UK ODA Spend 2024 on 18 September 2025. Provisional figures for 2025 will be published in Spring 2026.

The UK Sanctions List is updated every time a decision is made to make, vary or revoke a designation. The list is published on gov.uk and sets out which people, entities and ships are designated or specified under regulations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, and why. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list. The list of individuals and entities sanctioned under the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons regime was updated on 23 July 2025.

To consider whether someone is an enabler or otherwise involved in the relevant activity, we use the criteria set out in regulation 8 of The Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025, combined with the statutory threshold of reasonable grounds to suspect and taking information from a range of sources.

Ensuring that we have the right people in the right places to support those who require consular services is a top priority for the UK Government. We regularly review how we resource consular services to ensure we are providing the right support to British people overseas. Our Consular staff are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year, providing help to more than 25,000 British people a year around the globe, and issuing more than 30,000 emergency travel documents.

During his phone call with President Xi on 23 August 2024, the Prime Minister set out his priorities for his government, including national security, secure borders and economic stability.

The leaders discussed areas of shared collaboration, and potential areas of cooperation between the UK and China, including on trade, the economy and education.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders agreed on the importance of close working in areas such as climate change and global security.

A readout of this discussion can be found on gov.uk.

The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.

The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.

The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.

The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.

We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians. The Foreign Secretary discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus in July. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and reiterated this message to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. We welcome President al Sharaa's commitment to hold free and fair elections, and the announcement of the Supreme Electoral Committee for the People's Assembly Elections. This is an important step in building legitimate legislative and electoral processes. It is vital now that the political transition proceeds in a genuinely inclusive way, is representative, and respects the rights of all Syrians. We continue to press the Syrian Government on these issues. We will judge the Syrian Government by its actions not its words.

I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus in July, he also raised this. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons, and have urged them to engage collaboratively with civil society and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent.

No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. The UK is concerned over the arrests and continued detention of a number of individuals, particularly those detained for expressing their political views. We regularly raise concerns with the Saudi authorities about individual cases, and continue to call for detainees to be given adequate legal representation. The UK also recognises that travel bans can cause significant hardship and distress to those affected.

No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. We regularly raise concerns about individual cases, and officials in our Embassy in Riyadh have raised Turki Al-Jasser's case with the Saudi authorities. The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and circumstances.

The UK regularly engages with the United Nations, including through our Embassy in Kinshasa, our High Commission in Kigali, and our Mission to the United Nations in New York, to discuss the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), including plans for the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of the mission and the transition of responsibilities to Congolese authorities. The Government of DRC has been clear that further MONUSCO withdrawal phases will only be implemented when conditions on the ground permit.

On 23 July, our High Commissioner in Rwanda discussed MONUSCO with the UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia. On 22 July, the UK's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes met with the UN officials to discuss MONUSCO. On 17 July, the UK participated in an International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region meeting with Special Representative of the Secretary General Bintou Keita and MONUSCO Force Commander Lt. General Ulisses Gomes.

The UK is deeply concerned about the reported increase in human rights violations against children resulting from the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the recruitment and use of children. According to the UN Secretary General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), in 2024, the UN verified the recruitment and use of 2,365 children in the DRC. We have been clear, including at the UN Human Rights Council on 16 June, that the recruitment and use of children in the conflict in the DRC is unacceptable. The UK continues to call for all children recruited by armed groups to be handed over to child protection actors. All parties to conflict have an obligation under international law to protect children. UK humanitarian programming in eastern DRC delivers life-saving emergency assistance, strengthens community resilience, especially for women and girls, and provides essential nutritional support to children.

The UK remains committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), allocating approximately £60 million this financial year. Much of this funding will support lifesaving humanitarian aid, including food and cash assistance, clean water access, malnutrition treatment, and supporting sexual and reproductive health services alongside United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UK remains engaged diplomatically with DRC, Rwanda, and other partners to promote peace and stability. We continue to urge all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law, protect women and girls, and ensure humanitarian workers can deliver essential services.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's written parliamentary question. I issued a response to the hon. Member on 21 July 2025.

The UK Government and the public share a high regard for animal welfare. Whilst the UK Government cannot guarantee that other countries will adopt similar welfare standards as our own, we encourage others to do so through membership of international organisations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international authorities at suitable opportunities.

We are working urgently to support Chevening Scholars and fully funded scholarship holders in Gaza who have offers from British universities to leave and take up their places in the UK. The Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and I are in regular contact on operationalising support. We are doing everything we can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, but the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.